Description
The first edition of Crusade in Europe, inscribed by Gen. Eisenhower to his “comrade-in-arms,” Maj. General Willard G. Wyman.
Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publisher’s tan cloth, title printed on spine. Stated “First edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition published the same year. Illustrated endpapers. Solid text block, internally clean. Faint dust remnant along top of text block, rubbing to printed title on the spine from handling. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $5.00 retail price on the front flap, light wear at head of the spine, bright illustrations, a near fine example.
This inscribed copy was part of the first distribution of the book in 1948, reserved for family, world dignitaries, and fellow World War II comrades. Copies of the distribution paperwork from Eisenhower’s naval aide are included, which confirm receipt of the book by General Wyman while stationed at Governors Island in New York.
Inscribed on the half title: “For Maj. Gen. Willard G. Wyman – Brilliant battle leader of World War II. With best wishes and warm regards from his comrade-in-arms and devoted friend. Dwight D. Eisenhower / December, 1948.”
General Willard G. Wyman (1898-1969) met Eisenhower at Fort Lewis in 1941 while serving as Chief of Staff of the IX Army Corps. Eisenhower called Wyman “an exceptionally keen man…whom I tried to keep close to me throughout the ensuing war years.”
Wyman served under Eisenhower in the North African campaigns and later during the invasion of Normandy. As assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division, he was the beachhead commander for the assault division on D-Day, one of the first Allied general officers to make landfall with the first assault wave of troops. He directed the early beachhead fighting after turning a German blockhouse into a command post.
A year later, as commander of the 71st Infantry Division, he led that unit across the Rhine at Oppenheim and into Germany, where it linked up with Soviet forces on the Enns River. He later served in Korea and as Commander of the Allied Land Forces of NATO. Wyman retired as a four-star general in 1955 and died in 1969 at Walter Reed Hospital, 18 hours after the death of former President Eisenhower.
